| 24 September 2010
Hi everyone, Longball here for a quick rundown of things in the Cougar Universe (and other universes) as I see them from the cheapseats. This week I am going to give it to ya straight… thumbs up for stuff I like, and the dreaded thumbs down for stuff that JUST MAKES ME CRAZY, ARRRRRGH!
Read on if you have the stomach for it…
Lets start off with…
THUMBS UP!
Cougar Cannon
The Cougar Cannon made its much anticipated return against Montan State in week 2 and I am thrilled to have it back. Lets just find a better location for it. As they have it now it fires from atop the library with a bit of a delay. Given the current state of Cougar football you can imagine a scenario where we score and the cannon fires just as the visiting team has returns the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.
Sports Page Tavern
This Cougar hang out is the difinitive "Coug" bar, with the helmets of each opponant above the bar (including an itsy bitsy Husky one), a real stuffed Butch over the door and Coug History all over the walls, plus they now have liquor and food. This place also attracts Coug greats, in fact Montana State offensive line coach and veteran of the 1997 Pac-10 Champ Cougs, Jason McEndoo couldn't resist the chance to drop in the night before the Bobcats played the Cougs and revel in Crimson glory (and tubs of beer) with yours truly...
Welcome Back big fella!
Colored Turf
Only 3 teams do it, but nonetheless colored turf is part of the fabric of college football. Boise State is notorious for their blue rug in Bronco Stadium, as is lesser known New Haven and their own version of Smurf Turf. This year Eastern WA joined in the fun with a red field that can best be described as an assault on the senses. All I can say to Eastern’s Big Sky foes is, dread the red! Montana went to Cheney last weekend all fat and sassy and left with their tail between their legs in a 33-27 upset. This week, Oregon State has painted their practice field blue, at a reported cost of $11,000.00 in preparation for their trip to Boise. Like em, or hate em… colored fields are making for great stories this year.
Jeff Tuel
Lost a bit in all the hand wringing, ranting, raging and debating about this year’s Coug football team is the fact that after two long years of uncertainty… we once again have a leader under center we can believe in. Jeff Tuel hasn’t been terribly sharp in the first 3 games this season, but lets remember… he is a true sophomore. A quick look at the numbers tells me we have a lot to be hopeful about.
The most important stat I see there? ONE interception, in 91 pass attempts. He is taking care of the ball and that ain’t easy when you are under the kind of pressure he has been, sacked a league-worst 10 times in three games. So far our O-line has stayed healthy (knocks on wood!) and if they continue to improve we could be in for some pleasant surprises from Mr. Tuel this year.
Dave Ungerer
Another positive we aren’t talking about much is our improved play on special teams. Last year a lot of games that were not going our way to begin with, spun completely out of control due to inept special teams play. First year special teams coach Dave Ungerer definitely has more bodies to work with then his predecessor, and so far he is making good with the hand he’s been dealt. I feel much, much better this year every time we line up for kicks.
Australian Cuisine
In basketball news, sophomore forward Brock Motum went home to Australia this summer and came back weighing a much beefier 230 lbs, OY!
Of course, this is a culture that subsists mostly on Fosters and meat pies, so maybe it was to be expected.
And now, what you’ve all waited for…
Shotgun snaps
Wow, we need to figure out what’s wrong with Zack Williams’ snaps. Watching that ball float ever so softly through the air as Jeff Tuel waits, and waits, and waits for it all while the on-rushing defenders close in from all sides, its more than my fragile heart can take. I would think not being able to snap in an offense that runs a lot of shotgun formations would be a deal breaker for playing center. Guess not!
Scoreboard/clock operator
Not sure who was in charge of this operation during the Montana State game, but I suggest in the future they take their naps before, or after games, not during. Luckily we sit very close to the field so we could just refer to the chain-gang for accurate and up-to-date down and distances. Need I even mention the clock snafu at the end of the game? Hoefully it was all a case of the first game yips, but I sure hope the Trojan faithful who visit Martin this weekend don’t witness the same bungling.
Cougfan.com
Big time FAIL on the recent Guest Commentary they put up as a front page article. Really Cougfan? You thought this bilge was worthy of your front page? Way to elevate the discussion by calling those who don’t fall in lock step with your rosey view of things… "Huskies". Wow. You guys can just go read your own message boards to see how that brilliant idea went over with readers. This kind of stuff really only goes over well when you are preaching to the choir, and this particular screed not only didn’t change any minds, it sent quite a few members of their own choir heading for the exits.
Balky knees
Tough news for Ken Bone’s hoops team this week as it appears sophomore center Steven Bjornstad is dealing with a painful knee ailment. Per Vince Grippi the young man is going through treatment now, but may not be able to play this year. This leaves Charlie Enquist as the only real backup to DeAngelo Casto. Look for Coach Bone to come up with some creative lineups to cover for our lack of beef in the frontcourt. Good luck to young Mr. Bjornstad. We hope to see you back on the court delivering facials to Husky defenders in no time.
Coaches getting Lei’d
No, this isn’t about Mike Price. You may have noticed June Jones sporting what used to be his signature lei on the sidelines last weekend. Well he obviously doesn’t coach Hawaii anymore, so what gives?
My theory… this is nothing less than biological warfare. Clearly he was sporting a collection of flora specifically designed to irritate the allergies of the men in stripes. With their vision impaired they mistook good honest, hard nosed defensive plays for “unnecessary roughness”. First victim was Deone Bucannon getting flagged on what would have been the final play of the opening drive, and later on it was Daniel Simmons getting flagged for a completely legit tackle of an SMU receiver on the sideline. I rest my case.
That’s all for now, Coug fans. Enjoy the games this weekend and, as always… GO COUGS!
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
